Things are going well

Ok.

Things are going pretty well for the Clark Clan.

Miles is doing great after his surgery. The worst pain is past. He will be able to drive by next week. He's moving easier. Getting a bit frustrated with cabin fever.

The girls got good and dirty at school today. Ate a good dinner and enjoyed their evening with Gra-Maw.

Had 8 people at my dinner table. Good times.

Cameron had a great time at marine biology camp. Is spending the night at Gra-Maw's. (Aeron seriously wailed when she heard about that!)

Johan joined us for dinner and stayed the night with us. We had a wonderful time chatting over single-malt Scotch. (Miss you, Melinda!)

Thing do look better in the morning.

Thank goodness!

Daddy's not feeling well because why?

Ever had to explain to a couple of 3 year-olds that Daddy has had surgery (no, you certainly cannot see!) and he won't be giving any horsey rides for a long, long time?

I had several talks with the girls about Miles' surgery, both before and after. Explained how they would have to be very gentle with Daddy. But I can tell they don't quite get the full picture.

"Daddy? Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah, sweetie. I'm feeling better."

"All better, Daddy?"

"No, sweetie. I won't be all better for a long time."

"Oh."

The girls have been so sweet, running errands and taking care of Miles. Claire brings ice packs to her father and tucks her Purple Blanket gently over his knees. Aeron bring a nice selection of stuffed animals to sleep with Daddy, so he won't be lonely.

Good times....

Ah, the joys of summer!

The older two kids are on summer break, so they are either sleeping all day or off to some distant camp that they need to be transported to.

The little girls have started preschool two days a week. Now, those girls are all Clark. (for those readers not in the know; Clark = sleeps like a rock) Getting 'em up and fed and dressed and packed up by 9am is often a challenge.

Miles had surgery on Monday. Bilateral hernia repair. Ow-wah! He will be unable to push, pull or pick up anything over 20lbs for 8 weeks. It's been 4 days now, and he's already getting a bit twitchy.

Birthday Week is fast approaching. We have 4 family birthdays in 3 days, July 6th - July 8th, plus the Fourth of July.

When does school start?!

Tired kids = Meltdown

It's been a busy, exciting weekend. Claire and Aeron having been missing naps and getting to bed late.

As I write, they are having a full-on "come apart". There is wailing, Wagnerian screaming, red-faced screeches, irrational demands, etc.

"WHERE IS GRA-MAW?!?"

"I DON'T WANT FOOTIE PAJAMAS!!!"

"IT'S NOT NIGHT TIME!!!"

"I WANT DADDY TO PUT MY JAMMIES ON!!!"

Then they got to the gasping stage.

"I want....I want...a...a....SNACK!"

"I'm firsty.....firsty for......MILK!!!"

Mama plans to administer warm milk, a couple of short books and some cuddles. Then it's lights out for little girls and cocktail hour for Mama and Daddy.

A Father's Day lesson

It's another beautiful day here on the Central Coast.

This morning I wandered out on the back deck to take a look at our burgeoning garden box. The tomatoes are growing like mad. They look like a creature about to assault the foundations of the house. In the corner, our single zucchini plant is doing what they always do - fruiting like mad. I apparently missed one when harvesting t'other day, 'cause now there is a squash the size of a baseball bat in the box.

Miles heard my snort and came out to see. Followed by Aeron.

I pointed.

"Yep. That's one big-ass zucchini".

"Daddy!? Can I see the big-ass zucchini?!? Wow! I never seen such a big-ass zucchini! What are we gonna do with the big-ass zucchini, Daddy?! Claire! Come see the big-ass zucchini!"

Here endth the lesson.

Insomnia

It's crazy what parenthood will do to you.

When the twins were first born, and for the next year or so, I was horribly sleep-deprived. I'd fall asleep if I got even close to horizontal. I fell asleep feeding the babies. I couldn't remember anything, and trying to concentrate on driving was nigh on impossible. It was awful.

Now that the girls are sleeping like champs, I have insomnia. I just can't sleep. The doctor told me Benedryl was my friend; will put me out and isn't habit-forming. With all respect to my GP, Benedryl ain't takin' care of business anymore. I've got 3 in my system as I write, and it's after midnight.

Crisis du jour

Today, at (not) nap time, I had to go into the girls' room several times to tell 'em to settle down. They were yammering, and rattling their piggy banks, and squabbling, etc. My mood wasn't getting any sweeter, as they were completely ignoring my commands to pipe down, and I really wanted a nap.

Then I hear Claire crying in earnest, and Aeron hollering for Mama. I rush into the room, and Aeron says, "Claire swallowed a penny!" Claire is sitting on the side of the bed, teary, red-faced and looking worried. "I need some medicine, Mom!"

After asking Claire if she really had swallowed a penny ("un-huh!") I called the pediatricians office to speak with the nurse.

"Hi, it's Jennifer Clark. I need to talk to one of the nurses to see if I should be panicking."

"This is Aubry, how can I help you?"

"Claire just swallowed a penny. Should I be freaking out?"

"No. It'll come out. Keep an eye out for it."

"This happens a lot, huh?"

"Oh, yeah. But they usually swallow quarters."